The battle for traffic in Chinese entertainment

Chapter 527 Compare

However, Xu Xingxian flew to Singapore.

Due to policy restrictions, I had to transit through a third country for half a month before traveling to the United States.

Hsu Hsing took advantage of these two weeks to work on her album in Singapore.

From Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, to continuing the album's production in a Los Angeles recording studio after arriving in the United States...

It can be said to be a well-coordinated album.

The plane landed in Singapore, where Erika, who is about to be promoted to President of Netflix Asia Pacific, came to the airport to pick him up.

Although "Childhood Games" has been online for two months, it remains a hot topic worldwide, still garnering over ten million views every week.

After Zheng Rong and Netflix reached an agreement on merchandise development and the official merchandise was launched, global merchandise revenue exceeded $1 million in just one month, including pre-orders.

In addition to a second season, Netflix has also planned to develop a reality show based on "Childhood Games".

This most successful series in Netflix history has benefited Netflix, Zheng Rong, Xu Xing, and Erika immensely.

Even so, there were some minor frictions and heart-stopping risks at one point.

As before, Erika first praised Xu Xing's film "Detective Chinatown 3," saying that this historic film will lead the Asian film industry to a strong recovery and is of great significance.

Well, the history it created is the history of the opening of a single market, leading the recovery of Asia... I guess you could say that!
After all, China is the largest film market in Asia. The fact that "Detective Chinatown 3" far surpassed the pre-pandemic horror initial hype and grossed over 50 billion yuan is enough to prove that movies are really back!

In fact, cinemas in East Asia and Southeast Asia reopened last year before China, and some regions never closed. However, box office performance has declined significantly compared to 19, and local cinema chains are not doing well either.

Furthermore, Xu Xing further solidified his status as a true Asian god in 20, and cinemas in Southeast Asia showed even greater interest in the movie "Detective Chinatown 3" than before, with a significant increase in their enthusiasm for importing it and the scale of screenings.

This is also why "Detective Chinatown 3" was able to achieve a box office explosion in a short period of time, even though it was mainly released in Southeast Asia overseas for the time being.

While promoting "Detective Chinatown 3," Erika also mentioned inviting director Chen to produce a series for Netflix, and took the opportunity to talk about Netflix's cooperation plans with various Chinese drama production companies, as well as their overall plans for the Asia-Pacific region this year.

Netflix's cooperation with mainland Chinese film and television companies will basically take the form of purchasing the overseas rights to its series.

Although mainland film and television companies are very enthusiastic about contacting Netflix, the inability to enter the mainland market prevents Netflix from offering high production costs to compete with iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent Video.

In the realm of Chinese dramas, the budget for original content has "had to" be increased for Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas, as their costs are much lower than those for mainland dramas.

Erika said they know that most of the most influential Chinese stars are based in mainland China, so they tend to choose projects that can invite mainland stars to participate.

Several mainland talent agencies have already contacted Netflix, and although they have all made high demands for salaries, she is optimistic that many actors will eventually lower their asking prices for Netflix.

Netflix is ​​also in contact with some relatively unknown but capable film and television production teams in mainland China, and will invest in some small projects.

It sounded like they'd been in contact with some online film production team? Xu Xing didn't ask any further questions.

Therefore, Netflix will still allocate the majority of its original content budget for the Asia-Pacific region to Korean and Japanese dramas, but the majority of its budget for purchasing dramas will be allocated to Chinese dramas.

In the end—

"In fact, thanks to the success of 'Childhood Games,' headquarters is seriously considering launching a separate Chinese version of Netflix, subject to your oversight."

Erika revealed some information.

"But it's basically impossible to actually do that, isn't it?"

Xu Xing smiled.

Erika could only shrug helplessly.

"What if?"

Erika didn't prepare any surprises for Hsu Hsing this time. She had originally planned to, but Hsu Hsing told her that she needed to focus on producing the album in the next two weeks.

Moreover, Xu Xing had already made arrangements with people in advance.

Ms. Kim Jisoo has already prepared the look from the teaser concept photo of last year's album title track "How You Like That," featuring a black double bow, and is waiting at the villa.

She sent Xu Xing a photo on WeChat, saying she couldn't wait.

However, when Xu Xing opened the living room door after returning home, she did not see Ms. Kim Ji-soo immediately.

Suddenly, her legs were grabbed, and Xu Xing realized that she was kneeling obediently beside her, even with a chain in her mouth...

When Xu Xing noticed her, Miss Kim Ji-soo giggled like a spoiled puppy, shaking her head incessantly.

Perhaps it's because when she sent this look to Hsu Hsing for her opinion last year, Hsu Hsing said that her look resembled a puppy with droopy ears?
At the time, Ms. Kim Ji-soo explained that she had a lop-eared bunny hairstyle and said that she was Heo Hae-seo's obedient puppy.

It's being put into practice now.

It did look more like a rabbit back then, but now with the collar on, it looks exactly like a puppy.

I must say, it was a pleasant surprise.

Xu Xing took the chain, gently rubbed the puppy's head, and prepared to hug it.

But the puppy was already pawing at the ground, wanting to eat.

Um~
It feels so good!
This is one of Kim Jisoo's most distinctive looks, which caused a sensation last year, with many girls using her photo as their profile picture.

Yang Chaoyue also imitated this hairstyle when serving Xu Xing, because this hairstyle is double ponytails, and she knows that Xu Xing has always liked her various double ponytail styles.

Yang Chaoyue's imitation was excellent, and the original Kim Jisoo was also great.

Moreover, both of them have relatively small mouths and thick lips... The two ponytail handles are really useful.

Perhaps because it had been so long since they last met, Kim Jisoo unleashed an unprecedented frenzy, and Heo Haeng responded with the strongest possible response.

Finally, carrying the disheveled puppy to the bathroom, she took a bath and soaked in the tub for a long time before slowly recovering. She then hugged Xu Xing's body tightly with unprecedented force.

It was as if she was afraid that Xu Xing would suddenly turn into water in the bathtub and disappear without a trace from her arms.

A lot has happened in the past year.

She spoke softly, as if she were sighing slightly.

Xu Xing put down his phone, hugged her even tighter, and gently patted her back.

"Yes, accidents can happen at any time. But we're all better off now, aren't we?"

Last year, Blackpink collaborated with Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Cardi B to release their first official album, "The Album." Their collaboration with Selena Gomez, "Ice Cream," peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest-ranking single by a Korean girl group, marking a significant success in their American debut.

In addition, Lisa's appearance on "Youth With You 2" in China attracted a large number of domestic fans for the group. Blackpink achieved success in both Chinese and American markets, directly becoming known as the world's number one girl group. Even when haters refuted this claim, they couldn't find anyone more popular than them.

Blackpink has officially gone global, although its success is largely a temporary phenomenon created by extensive marketing campaigns.

Looking ahead, the future of the group and the individual development of Blackpink have reached a critical juncture.

The Western entertainment industry seems to have opened its doors to them, but how do they actually get in...?

“But sometimes, becoming better requires sacrifice… Brother, I am so, so, so grateful to you for giving me everything, so I don’t have to think about anything. I envy myself for having you.” Kim Jisoo’s voice carried a smile, but it sounded somewhat forced, still carrying a heavy heart.

Xu Xing knew what she was thinking. In her past life, the members of Blackpink were fighting tooth and nail to break into the US, especially the 24s (age division: 1 Jisoo, 2 Jennie, 3 Rose, 4 Lisa. Blackpink fans mainly consist of the 13s and 24s). Jennie and Lisa were doing crazy things like the Crazy Horse show, acting in "adult films," and striking all sorts of provocative poses on stage with bizarre makeup... it was hard to describe.

As the group's well-known "useless" member, Kim Ji-soo was at the bottom of the singing and dancing rankings, and even her English was terrible. She relied entirely on her looks, and could only return to her home base in South Korea to develop her career while the other three were making a splash in the US.

Now, Ms. Kim Ji-soo has not only a beautiful face, but also a face that attracted Heo Haeng.

—This is the evaluation given by the fans of the group during their online feud. The other three groups used the same rhetoric: "Be a good vase, hone your bedroom skills, serve Xu Xing well, and you can secure new resources for the group. That's making the best use of her."

However, Ms. Kim Ji-soo often tells Xu Xing that her skills are indeed too poor, and it would be good if she could just not drag the team down. Because the criticism is directed at her relationship with Xu Xing, she is not sad. On the contrary, she sometimes feels very sweet inside.

Besides enjoying the comfort of being under Xu Xing's protection, Ms. Kim Ji-soo's worries about the other team members are also a daily topic of conversation between her and Xu Xing.

Perhaps she was genuinely grateful, or perhaps she also wanted Xu Xing to find a way to help Blackpink.

However, Heo Haeng made it clear last year that she would only take care of Kim Jisoo.

Actually, Xu Xing likes career-oriented people, but she values ​​looks even more. In Blackpink, only Kim Jisoo is above the threshold, and Xu Xing felt that keeping such a laid-back, pretty girl was pretty great.

"I envy having you too, Noona."

Xu Xing also smiled.

The pinnacle of Korean girl groups, the prettiest, or rather the only pretty one, could kick the ball however she wanted, and it was incredibly fulfilling.

Xu Xing really liked Kim Ji-soo's personality, and naturally she wouldn't hold back her tenderness and affection.

Ms. Kim Ji-soo was overjoyed, and her earlier depressed mood vanished instantly.

Hehehe~ I love you so much, brother~

He hugged Xu Xing and was about to kiss her.

A kiss that was incredibly tender.

After a while, he resumed his vigorous and unrestrained movements.

Ms. Kim Jisoo is really holding back her emotions.

After one night of revisions, Xu Xing went to the music studio the next day.

As is customary, a photo from the recording studio was posted on social media to let fans around the world know that Hsu Hsing has started producing an album again!
After several short breaks for production, the album is now over 60% complete. With any potential adjustments, it should be ready for release during the summer as planned.

She works on albums during the day and goes home at night, where she prepares her most popular look from last year, her craziness undiminished.

Xu Xing had already thoroughly explored her potential, but what Xu Xing had in abundance was variety.

Honkai will not only have one form.

Ms. Kim Ji-soo also proved that she could withstand higher intensity and force... After only three days of proof, Xu Xing brought Ms. Bae Joo-hyun over.

It's a collaboration, but also a competition.

When Ms. Pei arrived, she did not know that Kim Ji-soo was there. When she saw Kim Ji-soo return with Heo Haeng and appear in the villa where Heo Haeng and she's where their relationship began, her smile instantly vanished.

Xu Xing gave her several glances, but Ms. Pei's expression still didn't change.

Last year, Blackpink soared to the sky with dazzling brilliance, while Ms. Bae dragged her Red Velvet down to hell.

As fellow visual members of the same generation of girl groups, Ms. Bae had long known that Heo Hyung and Kim Jisoo had a relationship, and she also knew that Blackpink's development momentum was much stronger than Red Velvet's.

But before the bullying scandal last year, she always believed that while the team's future was uncertain, she would at least not lose to Kim Jisoo as an individual.

But now, Ms. Pei herself knows that it will be almost impossible for her to catch up with Kim Ji-soo in the future.

At the end of last year, SM Entertainment tried to bring Ms. Bae back to the spotlight, but it was unsuccessful, and there were still many voices against her online.

Ms. Bae has just tried acting and is confident that she should be able to laugh better than Kim Ji-soo in "Sweet Home," but she also feels that she doesn't have much talent for acting.

Unless Jisoo's career also suddenly collapses, the gap between the two of them will only widen in the future...

Ms. Pei was overjoyed when she arrived, but now she is becoming increasingly saddened.

...Is it only possible for him to beat this despicable junior in bed?

Ms. Pei doesn't have a problem with Ms. Jin—well, she does have a problem.

Miss Jin must have been pulled by Xu Xing to arrange other women's groups before. How could she not know that Xu Xing likes a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere?

But what about Kim, the junior?
He clung tightly to Xu Xing's arm, pressed his whole body against Xu Xing, and kept smiling and rubbing against her, as if he were provoking her!
Ms. Pei is absolutely furious!

An outrageous woman!
Would Xu Xing really be the kind of person who just stands by and watches you bully me?

Snapped!
Ms. Pei's face was covered in red marks.

She looked up in astonishment, her face filled with disbelief, but Xu Xing didn't even give her a chance to speak.

Tears streamed down her face.

Ms. Pei feels that her life is really bitter...

"Are you choking so badly?"

Xu Xing quickly softened her tone, but still offered criticism where necessary.

"Why are you glaring at Jisoo? You've always been considerate. Jisoo has had a really tough day, and you treat her like this, not even smiling."

Ms. Kim Ji-soo had a challenging day at the recording studio, and she was exhausted on the way back, so tired that she could barely stand. Xu Xing couldn't let her be bullied.

"..."

Ms. Pei shook her head repeatedly, trying to explain.

But Xu Xing didn't give her a chance.

It wasn't until Ms. Kim Ji-soo slowly moved over from the doorway, was lifted onto the sofa by Heo Haeng, and then kissed Ms. Bae's cheek that Ms. Bae gave up the idea of ​​arguing.

...At times like these, Xu Xing prefers close cooperation.

My two weeks in Singapore were so fulfilling and enjoyable.

Even after Xu Xing boarded the plane to the United States, the two of them still wanted to determine a winner.

Heo Haeng-fairly stated that Kim Ji-soo had better physical strength, while Bae Joo-hyun had more tricks up her sleeve!

They're all beautiful!
Let's compete again next time!

(End of this chapter)